The 2025 Lyceum Fellowship competition explores sustainable building design in the Caribbean through the lens of its indigenous culinary arts and culture. Students across North America are given the opportunity to reimagine two reclaimed buildings situated on the beachfront in Bridgetown, Barbados, transforming them into vibrant hubs for culinary innovation and community gathering.

Brief

For years, the Caribbean’s reliance on imported goods due to colonial ties has highlighted the disparities within its food system. As the youngest nation in the world, Barbados calls for urgent interdisciplinary collaboration to cultivate a grounded food culture. Bridgetown is home to the stunning Carlisle Bay, which transforms at night from a lush beachfront landscape to a lively nightlife scene. This site presents two reclaimed existing buildings in the Caribbean for participants to re-imagine and transform into community gathering places for culinary enrichment.

Prizes

The 2025 Lyceum Fellowship competition provides students with funds for personal and professional travel experiences:

• The winner will receive $15,000 for three months of travel abroad
• 2nd prize: $10,000 for two months of travel abroad
• 3rd prize: $5,000 for one month of travel abroad
• The Jon McKee Prize: Awarded at the discretion of the Lyceum Board to an outstanding project that was not recognized, providing the student with a travel amount that will also be determined by the Board.
• The Merit Award: Certificate of Recognition